I picked this up at a local flea-market from a guy who was clearing out his garage (and who didn't want to lug it back home, so I got it for cheaps). It was made in Japan during the 1920s or 30s (30s seems more likely, given the number of Patent numbers on it). This amazing little toy is a double-dial alarm-trigger cashbox. It requires both the key, and the combination, to access it. It has space for banknotes, gold, silver, checks etc. And a tamper-proof mechanical alarm which prevents the box from being moved or carried without the alarm going off, once it's been set. The alarm also rings whenever the box is opened. The box is in perfect working condition. The key you see down the bottom there is to wind up the alarm bells. The switch above the key sets the alarm. Pushing it back turns it on. Pushing it forwards turns it off. The cashbox is the EXACT same size as my campaign desk: What are the chances of that, huh!? Is this strongbox cool? Yes. Is it secure? Probably. Is it rare? Definitely not. In fact I have a family friend who actually owns another one of these. He let me take a picture of it, and here it is:
Could I borrow that and lend it to my Federal Government ......so when they spend my money on themselves.....at least I'd know about it !!!
LOL!! Nope! But you're welcome to ask questions about it! Apparently these things were quite common back in the 1920s and 30s. I've seen a COUPLE of videos about them on YouTube, and a few photos on Google Images. They were sold in a variety of colours (Black, green, blue, and red, seem to be the most common ones), and came with a number of badges/plaques screwed onto them. But from what I've seen, they all came from Japan. If they were made elsewhere (and maybe they were), I haven't seen them.
Does it have something in the middle of the base? If so I have seen a rather similar but less elaborate box and had no idea what the thing on the bottom was for.The one I saw was steel decorated to look like wood.
No, there's nothing in there. Just dust. It has two clamps in the lid to hold paperwork or cheques. Then a removable three-slot tray (presumably for cash), and then a space underneath for gold and coins and such. And that's it.
I mean underneath the base? The view of the underside from outside may show a trigger for the alarm in the middle
Oh that! No, it's just plain metal. There's a circular hole in the back left corner, with a small weight hanging on a little lever. That's what activates the motion-sensor.
